Now, this write-up is aimed at Apple Macintosh users, and more specifically, those who have and use the previous model of iMac – the G4 version. The one with the domed base and angle-poise display on the chrome arm.

The standard configuration from Apple was 256 MB of internal RAM, with the option to upgrade an externally accessible slot (of a different form factor of the same RAM) either at the time of purchase or by the user themselves later on.

So, you’ve done that, and are sitting pretty with, more than likely, 768 MB RAM in total – having bought a 512 MB module. Now, why on earth would you want to read about RAM for an older Mac computer, I hear you ask?

Well, not everyone can afford or even cares about upgrading to the new G5 iMac – you’re happy with what you’ve got, or you prefer the design more than the new one. That’s fair enough. No point upgrading just for the sake of it. But, whilst you’re happy with the one you have, or have to make do with it for a bit longer yet, you’re eyeing the new operating system, OS X.4 ‘Tiger’ and/or have started to make more use of the in-built Applications such as iPhoto, iMovie, and iDVD*, you’ve noticed the system has become sluggish and are starting to see the spinning beachball more often.

That being the case, you’re wondering what can be done, if anything, to make things that bit better? Well, good news is here. Crucial have various RAM modules specifically for Macs. There’s no real difference in the modules for Macs versus other similar modules, other than they are tested for compliance with the specs required for use in a Mac, and moreso that of the OS. Some upgraders from OS X.2-X.3 (Jaguar to Panther) found Panther to be fussier about the RAM installed.

Anyway, the point being made is that the RAM modules on Crucial’s Mac section are for the external user accessible slot only, and that if you wanted to increase the internal memory, they don’t have a module they could confirm as having been tested and approved for sale as a Mac internal module.

They do have a RAM module that ticks all the boxes, but isn’t classified as being Mac compliant. To cut a long story short, I’ve just received and had installed by my local Apple Authorised Service Provider (Mac-Sys), a 1GB RAM module, and the results are superb. It works perfectly – has done for a week now, without an issues or Kernel Panics resulting. So, I (and Mac-Sys, who’ve installed a number of these same modules) can confidently say that you can buy and make use of this module from Crucial with absolute confidence.

The cost inc. fitting (if you don’t want to/can’t do it yourself) should be around the £110-120 mark. Certainly a lot cheaper and much less hassle than eBaying your iMac, and buying the new G5 version.

Don’t be under the illusion though, that by adding 1 GB internally to give 1.5 or 2 GB (if you used another brand for the external 1 GB module, which Crucial don’t cater for), that you will have a G5 equivalent. If that were the case, we’d all stuff as much RAM in our Macs rather than lusting after the latest and greatest versions. However, as a result of upgrading the internal RAM, you’ll suffer less with the beachballing and notice more Apps open quicker. Even copying your CDs to iTunes will be quicker, So too will booting.

Where the main benefit comes in though, is when you have multiple Apps launched, and especially with the likes of iPhoto, iMovie, etc which will be more responsive due to having more physical RAM to use rather than virtual memory, which resides on the hard drive, and ultimately slows the process down.

Therefore, there’s life in the old dog yet, if you spend a small amount on upgrading the internal RAM module with the one linked to below. If you are planning to upgrade to OS X.4 now or soon, then be advised that at the least, it needs 512 MB just for itself. Even with 768 MB. I noticed beachballing more often than under Panther, which itself was more RAM hungry than Jaguar (OS X.2), and that was without using iMovie or iPhoto! So, for those Apps alone, you will really appreciate what quite a bit of physical memory can provide when touching up images or editing/transferring video footage.

As said above, for those whom the new G5 iMac isn’t yet an option, the internal RAM upgrade should be the next purchase, just to prolong the usefulness of your previous generation iMac. It will make enough of a difference to be justified, and definitely, should you have or be getting OS X.4 for it. By then, it will be obligatory or mandatory.

http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/partspecs.Asp?IMODULE=CT12864Z265

http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/partspecs.Asp?IMODULE=CT12864Z335

Use System Profiler from Utilities Folder or More option from About This Mac under the Apple icon in the menubar to see which version your iMac requires. The former is PC2100 link, the latter PC2700 link.

* Denotes that iDVD was only installed in OS X.2 if your iMac had a SuperDrive. If you’ve since bought iLife ’04 or ’05, then it should be installed, as Apple made it recognise certain external DVD burners

Review by - PJ Skelton

Published - 27/05/2005

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